Mandeville's push to build a new water tower on the eastern side of the city could gain steam Thursday if the City Council approves a resolution to hire an engineer for the project. The council is expected to vote on a resolution that would authorize Mayor Donald Villere to enter into a $211,306 contract with Richard C. Lambert Consultants, LLC, for engineering services for the tower on Rapatel Street at the far eastern side of the city near Fontainebleau State Park.

The entire project is expected to cost about $2.3 million, Villere said, and money has been set aside for it in the current fiscal year's budget.

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The city's water system is comprised of five underground wells and one 750,000 gallon tower on St. Ann Street. A second, outdated water tower on Monroe Street has been decommissioned. The city leases it to communications companies for cell phone antennas.

The proposed tower would improve water pressure, especially for firefighting, allow for future expansion of the Mandeville water system and let the city shut down the St. Ann Street tower for maintenance, officials said.

"We need to take the existing tower out of service to do the maintenance," Villere said. "The new tower will allow us to do that. Plus, it sets the city up for future growth."

The engineering contract to be discussed Thursday is mostly for foundation work on the tower, which will be very similar to the St. Ann Street tower. "Richard Lambert did the last water tower and did a good job back then," Villere said. "This will be the same type tower."

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Ernest Burguieres, whose district includes the site of the new tower, said he has no problem with the project or the engineer, but is concerned about the way the engineering contract is worded. The city uses the same template contract for various projects, and "that just invites problems," said Burguieres, a lawyer.

Also on Thursday night's council agenda is an ordinance designed to clarify ambiguity in regulations that limit height of buildings in the city.

The council meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 3101 East Causeway Approach.